PANCAKES W/ SEA BUCKTHORN & ELDERBERRY SYRUP

Isn’t summer just the time of total abundance? Abundance of this yummy oh so good feeling of freedom and p u r e happiness paired with the stunningly beautiful abundance of fresh ripe fruits!
Sun, fruits, good company and fresh air is what we are thriving on and personally I am the happiest when the above are given. And actually I do not need more. These limited times ( at least in germany) need to be cherished and enjoyed to the fullest! And of course my way of enjoying life is by paying attention to take advantage of seasonal fruits! Especially berries & stone fruits are a welcomed change to bananas or frozen fruits which did not grow locally and clearly did not ripen in the way they should. Everyone who ate a banana or other tropical fruit in the country where it was planted knows what I am talking about. You can taste the difference to the extent that you either wish long to live on an island permanent or an easier way to live out – you think twice before buying overly priced tropical fruits way out of season and far away from ripe. Maybe tend more towards locally grown and seasonal fruits which your country offers. There is plenty and it is worth the wait!

When I went strawberry picking ( more nibbling than gathering) the other day I thought about some methods to use summers abundance to full capacity ( even when living in the city…)

– get a wild plant guide– research what & when it is available in your area – walk in the woods – walk barefoot– meditate outside– have picnics in nature– look up organic farms which offer self-picking– buy seeds, plant & grow your own food in the garden/balcony/windowsill– ask around if somebody needs a taker of their fruit tree produce– pick elder flowers for juice/syrup and later on pick elderberries for jam/syrup– freeze fruit for quick ice cream, grill fruit at a bbq – make homemade mists/deodorant/sunscreen with natural ingredients– flavour your water/ice cubes with herbs & fruit– flood your pancakes with fruits & fruit syrups

Let us pay some attention to the stars of this recipe. There are obviously the pancakes which are yummy and fluffy. The apricots and blueberries, slightly sweet and sour. But literally on top of them all are the syrups. Sea buckthorn & elderberry syrup!

Sea buckthorn is used for thousands of years to treat all sorts of health issues, promotes skin health, energy and vitality. The berries contain high amounts of vitamin c ( beating lemons). Further contents are 14 essential vitamins, omega 3,6,9 and the unusual omega 7 fatty acid,
antioxidants, proteins, minerals,carotenes and tanning agents which are anti-inflammatory. It is also a source for vitamin B12 which is rare to get from plants.
The oil is effective on the skin by healing burns & wounds aswell as reducing red irritated skin.

Elderberries have been a folk remedy for centuries due to its antioxidant activities. It boosts the immune system, heart health and vision. Helps fighting flus, colds and also viral and bacterial infections. Again vitamin c plays an important part, also flavonoids ( protecting cell damage) and amino acids. If you feel run down, take 1 to 2 teaspoons of elderberry syrup/extract/juice! Works wonders ( at least it does for me, I am no doctor by all means…)

Directions
In a large bowl, mix the flours with the baking powder and salt. Take a smaller bowl to mash the banana with a fork, add oil, almond milk, syrup and cardamom. Combine dry and wet ingredients together, stir for a few minutes or mix with a high speed blender/hand mixer. Heat a frying pan to medium – high heat, add a little bit of coconut oil and put about 3 tbsp pancake batter to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown. Repeat with the rest of the batter. Serve pancakes with fresh fruit, lavender and the syrups ( recipe below)

SEA BUCKTHORN SYRUPPrior to making the syrup: Wash fresh berries. Then freeze them for a week (this reduces bitterness).

Directions
Bring the water to a boil add berries, cover and lower the heat. Cook simmering for 15 minutes. Mash them and strain through a cloth, extract as much juice as possible. Add the sweetener to the juice and let the mixture simmer until it reaches a syrup consistency. Taste and adjust the amount of sweetener. Transfer to a glas bottle and store it in the fridge.

Directions
Wash the berries thoroughly. Again, bring the water to a boil add berries, currants, ginger and vanilla, cover and lower the heat. Cook simmering for 15 minutes. Mash them and strain through a cloth, extract as much juice as possible. Add the sweetener to the juice and let the mixture simmer until it reaches a syrup consistency. Taste and adjust the amount of sweetener. Transfer to a glas bottle and store it in the fridge.

To forage, plant and harvesting is an effective and important way to explore, get wild healthy nutrients and connect to nature! Celebrate the fruits your country offers right now!
Pick some berries, let them simmer ( while crazy dancing in the sun) go outside, pour the ready syrups over these pancakes, dig in! Sounds like total bliss doesn’t it? What are you waiting for? Enjoy the summer in any way you want but with a full & open heart.